As the stage is set for a no holds fortnight-long battle, one question that is doing the rounds in Fatorda countryside is simple “ will GPCC chief Girish Chodankar hit the ground in support of alliance partner, Goa Forward chief Vijai Sardesai? Girish is a voter of Fatorda constituency and had initially set his eyes on the seat before the Congress forged an alliance with the Goa Forward. With the Goa Forward joining Congress’ campaign in Canacona and Mormugao, political observers wonder whether Girish would reciprocate the alliance partner’s gesture and work for Vijai’s success in Fatorda.
Finally, Cipru to support Valanka
Navelim Zilla Panchayat member Cipru Cardozo has finally joined the Churchill Brothers team in Navelim. The three-time ZP member along with his supporters descended in strength at the office of the returning officer to express solidarity with Churchill’s daughter Valanka. Cipru himself was a probable candidate for the Navelim seat, and was approached by a host of parties with offers to throw his hat in the electoral ring. Churchill should be pleased with the development as it is believed Cipru’s decision should hopefully boost daughter’s campaign.
Valanka seeks Luizinho’s blessings
Hazard a guess where did Valanka Alemao go before heading to the office of the Retuning Officer to file her nomination papers. Well, sources say Valanka invoked blessings of the Almighty to help her in her journey before she headed to Luchel Caminho de Monte atop Borda hillock to seek blessings of TMC MP Luizinho Faleiro. Take note, Valanka is seeking election from Navelim, Luizinho’s fiefdom, where the ex-MLA enjoys considerable influence, especially amongst the 6,000-strong minority Muslim vote. Luizinho has promised to go all out to give the Navelim seat for the TMC.
Young face to take on TMC’s Fatorda campaign?
TMC MP Luizinho Faleiro appears all charged up and ready to hit the campaign for party candidates. He might not have accepted TMC’s offer to contest from Fatorda, but the seasoned campaigner has a young candidate in mind to take forward the party’s campaign in the constituency. Amidst speculations that he may quit the TMC, Faleiro has tweeted, dismissing all such talks as mischievous and rumours as he has told his close aides that he has not joined the new party to resign.
When CM met Santosh Faldesai in Cuncolim
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant is believed to have made a last ditch attempt to get Santosh Faldesai out of the fray for the Cuncolim seat. Sources say the Chief Minister during his visit to Cuncolim constituency, had an interaction with Santosh Faldesai, and requested him not to go ahead with his plan to contest the coming polls. Faldesai on Thursday, however, filed his nomination papers as an Independent candidate. What made the CM to call on Faldesai? Well, sources say the CM is eyeing on the over 3,500-odd strong Desai vote to keep the BJP in good stead in Cuncolim.
